One year back when I decided to play competitive tennis,all I had in mind was to play for India again.It was a huge dream.But it came true. But sometimes the mind gets greedy.After making the team, my goal was to win a medal.And I came dar close.Lost out on silver or gold by 2 games(5-7 in the 3rd set). I was devastated. I am not kidding!!!
Butthen you realize what an opportunity this was and what it is to play for India again. When I hear the Anthem being played, I get goosebumps. I so badly wanted to be on a podium,but then, the joy of actually competing at this level, is the biggest podium in the world.And I am so thankful for it. We lost the bronze medal match to Sania and Rushmi. In the 1 set, we had some chances, but the match slowly went away from o0ur hands. My partner was too overawed by our opponents to do any damage.
But now I am in Goa, taking a break for 2 days.And then I will head back to US. Thank you all for the support.Please post your comments on my blog.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Lost in semis, but will play for Bronze
Our semi-final match against Aussie Jessica Moore and Rogowska was a nail biter to the finish with the Aussies playing a very tight 3rd set.We lost 7-5,3-6,5-7. It was an unbelievable atmosphere with the show court stands totally full and our entire crowd behinf us. Electric is what I would call it. Pooja and I fought very hard till the end and never gave up. But all credit to the Aussies who never made any unforced errors till the end.
Truth be told, I was hugely disappointed. I had another tough loss in mixed too.Yes,I was happy to be able to compete at the highest level, but losing the gold or silver by a whisker is hard to come to terms with.
Now we will play Sania and Rushmi for a bronze.Either way, India will get a bronze whether its our team or theirs. But this time, we might not have the crowd behind us:)
Do post your comments on the blog itself...would love to know your thoughts.
Truth be told, I was hugely disappointed. I had another tough loss in mixed too.Yes,I was happy to be able to compete at the highest level, but losing the gold or silver by a whisker is hard to come to terms with.
Now we will play Sania and Rushmi for a bronze.Either way, India will get a bronze whether its our team or theirs. But this time, we might not have the crowd behind us:)
Do post your comments on the blog itself...would love to know your thoughts.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
In Semis!!!
Pooja and I practised around 1115 this morning to get geared up for our match against the 2nd seeded Brits,Sarah Borwell and Anna Smith.Sarah Borwell is ranked 60 in the world and Anna is the late 100s. Pooja and I knew we had a tough task.
The weather here in Delhi has been very humid, quite the contrary of what we expected Delhi weather to be. We started out rather poorly when we lost Pooja's service game in the 2nd game, but soon levelled the set at 2-2. But we stared the barrel of a couple of set points at 4-5 when Pooja was serving. But the 20 yr old from Mysore held her serve and her composure beautifully and we soon clinched the set at 7-5.
In the 2nd, we were on top of them the entire time and eevn though it looked a little close at 5-4,Pooja served really well to clinch us the match.Tomorrow, we play an Aussie pair who are the 3rd seeds. This win has ensured us a chance for a medal...it will be even better when we are guaranteed one tho:)
The weather here in Delhi has been very humid, quite the contrary of what we expected Delhi weather to be. We started out rather poorly when we lost Pooja's service game in the 2nd game, but soon levelled the set at 2-2. But we stared the barrel of a couple of set points at 4-5 when Pooja was serving. But the 20 yr old from Mysore held her serve and her composure beautifully and we soon clinched the set at 7-5.
In the 2nd, we were on top of them the entire time and eevn though it looked a little close at 5-4,Pooja served really well to clinch us the match.Tomorrow, we play an Aussie pair who are the 3rd seeds. This win has ensured us a chance for a medal...it will be even better when we are guaranteed one tho:)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
in quarters now
Yesterday we had a fairly easy match against a team from Maldives. One of the girls who who is muslim wore a scarf over her head entire match and wore full pants. It was courageous of them to even come out and play.
Tomorrow we are up against the 2nd seeded British pair.We play 3rd after 10 am.
Tomorrow we are up against the 2nd seeded British pair.We play 3rd after 10 am.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Oh,so close...
In hindsight, many things become clear and it's even more frustrating!!!
My partner Rohan, was scheduled 2 matches within an hour of each other yesterday. But today, funnily, he has a day off. The first thing he says when I saw him this morning is-"Partner how are you?/I could've easily played a match today-dunno why I had to play 2 yesterday-that too within an hr of each other"!!! Baffling!!!
Now the match report- Let the truth be told- Rohan and I didnt get a chance to play any doubles practice matches before.It took us nearly first 4-6 games to get into the groove.After that, it looked good.My returns looked great, I barely missed many returns the entire match. My serve also started to land in and we cruised to a 5-0 lead in the 2nd set. We tied the match at 6-3. But the 3rd set was the trickiest.Rohan lost his service game in the 2nd game of the 3rd set.That proved too costly.We still came back from 1-4 to 3-4, but couldnt hold my serve that game.
I can say that I probably played one of the best matches and if we had better planned and practised together, we might have been in medal contention.......Oh well!!
Poojashree and I will begin our campaign later today in the Women's Doubles.
My partner Rohan, was scheduled 2 matches within an hour of each other yesterday. But today, funnily, he has a day off. The first thing he says when I saw him this morning is-"Partner how are you?/I could've easily played a match today-dunno why I had to play 2 yesterday-that too within an hr of each other"!!! Baffling!!!
Now the match report- Let the truth be told- Rohan and I didnt get a chance to play any doubles practice matches before.It took us nearly first 4-6 games to get into the groove.After that, it looked good.My returns looked great, I barely missed many returns the entire match. My serve also started to land in and we cruised to a 5-0 lead in the 2nd set. We tied the match at 6-3. But the 3rd set was the trickiest.Rohan lost his service game in the 2nd game of the 3rd set.That proved too costly.We still came back from 1-4 to 3-4, but couldnt hold my serve that game.
I can say that I probably played one of the best matches and if we had better planned and practised together, we might have been in medal contention.......Oh well!!
Poojashree and I will begin our campaign later today in the Women's Doubles.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Draw
The mixed draw turned out to be the toughest for my partner Rohan Bopanna and me. We will play the top seeds Paul Hanley and Anastasia Rodianova from Australia in the very first round. We are scheduled to play 3rd after 10 am on Centre Court on Monday, 4th Oct.
In the women's doubles, Poojashree and I have a fairly easy 1st round, but might face the 2nd seeded British pair if we surpass the 1st hurdle.
But the highlight of my day today was an impromptu practice session with my mixed doubles partner. I was in the middle of a massage when our coach Rico called me and asked me if I can be on court in 10 min. There is nothing more I wanted at that moment.
I had a brilliant hitting session with Rohan and I finally felt like my entire game coming together. Hopefully I can bring it on and support Rohan on Monday in my match!!!!
In the women's doubles, Poojashree and I have a fairly easy 1st round, but might face the 2nd seeded British pair if we surpass the 1st hurdle.
But the highlight of my day today was an impromptu practice session with my mixed doubles partner. I was in the middle of a massage when our coach Rico called me and asked me if I can be on court in 10 min. There is nothing more I wanted at that moment.
I had a brilliant hitting session with Rohan and I finally felt like my entire game coming together. Hopefully I can bring it on and support Rohan on Monday in my match!!!!
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Games Village
I went into the village with an open mind. But what I saw was nothing close to what the media portrayed.
OK- I have to agree that it sounds absurd that brand new apartments needed cleaning up!!! Barring that, the CWG Village is almost first class. I would give it a two thumbs up. The apartments are well designed and come with attached bathrooms.
The apartment where we are staying in comes well furnished with double beds and air conditioners.
The dining hall is simply fantastic. There are stalls with Indian, African,Asian, Continental foods and desserts and salad stalls too. The quality of food was equally good. Close to this hall is also the swimming pool which is covered and looks spectacular.I saw athletes relaxing and sun bathing there. We were wondering why they enjoy the blazing hot sun this much:)
The entertainment that the Village offers are also quite good.Some of the top rock bands in India are here.
I realize now that sometimes media overdoes it and totally misleads us. The CWG Village may have needed work, but it was totally blown out of proportion. Simple....
Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2089959&id=1429907124
OK- I have to agree that it sounds absurd that brand new apartments needed cleaning up!!! Barring that, the CWG Village is almost first class. I would give it a two thumbs up. The apartments are well designed and come with attached bathrooms.
The apartment where we are staying in comes well furnished with double beds and air conditioners.
The dining hall is simply fantastic. There are stalls with Indian, African,Asian, Continental foods and desserts and salad stalls too. The quality of food was equally good. Close to this hall is also the swimming pool which is covered and looks spectacular.I saw athletes relaxing and sun bathing there. We were wondering why they enjoy the blazing hot sun this much:)
The entertainment that the Village offers are also quite good.Some of the top rock bands in India are here.
I realize now that sometimes media overdoes it and totally misleads us. The CWG Village may have needed work, but it was totally blown out of proportion. Simple....
Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2089959&id=1429907124
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